Jamel Dean, Benjamin Morrison And Health
April 26th, 2025
Bucs VP of Player Personnel Mike Biehl.
Joe thinks Jamel Dean is a decent cornerback, maybe still a good one. But Joe got fed up last year when Dean kept getting hurt and missing starts, specifically when he couldn’t finish the Bucs’ playoff game.
And the Bucs lost by a field goal in the waning moments. Don’t think the Bucs could have used their best corner on the field in the fourth quarter?
In fact, in three of the last four Bucs playoff games, Dean either couldn’t answer the ball or he was not on the field in the fourth quarter due to injuries.
A team cannot make a Super Bowl run when its best corner can’t finish the job.
(The Bucs were 1-4 last year in games Dean didn’t start.)
The Bucs know this and maybe think a way to wake up Dean is to push him with stiff competition. The Bucs drafted Notre Dame corner Benjamin Morrison in the second round last night.
This Morrison is an excellent player. Problem is, he’s borderline brittle. In the past four years, he has had three surgeries, one to each hip and a shoulder surgery.
Last night, Bucs vice president of player personnel Mike Biehl was asked why try to replace an oft-hurt guy with someone who needs surgery almost on an annual basis?
“I think that’s a fair question,” Biehl began.
“I will say that every player is a case-by-case basis. We did the full medical just like we do on every one of these players and our doctors and athletic trainers came away feeling comfortable with it.
“That’s all we need to hear. He missed the time this year, [but] before that, I think he missed one game maybe last year for a quad contusion or something like that. At the end of the day, we were comfortable with it and we got a really good player, we feel. We’re just going to see what happens.”
This feels like a monster risk. Of course, if Morrison didn’t have so many medical flags, he would have been drafted on Thursday.
So if Morrison can stay healthy, he may be a huge steal by Bucs AC/DC-loving general manager Jason Licht. For the record, Dean had three knee surgeries before he was drafted late in Round 3 back in 2019, and the Bucs won a Super Bowl with him starting.
Joe’s crossing fingers Dean starts opening day and stays healthy with Morrison on a rotation to get him snaps and experience, and maybe fans can work a rosary hoping he doesn’t have to go under the knife.
Again.
“Calm down, relax. Tell your dad I said hi.”#Buccaneers HC Todd Bowles talks to an emotional Benjamin Morrison, son of his former teammate Darryl, in one of the better Draft calls you’ll see. pic.twitter.com/EqeotndJKk
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) April 26, 2025
April 26th, 2025 at 8:45 am
1-4 on games Dean didn’t start?? Thats pretty telling, didn’t know he was that vital… Imagine our record on games he left prematurely
Correct. He started 12 of 17 games plus the playoffs. And he left at least two early. –Joe
I think he knows he’s playing for his future this year and another contract from someone
I think we can go all the way this year honestly, our motivation is at an all time high
DO IT FOR LVD!!
April 26th, 2025 at 8:46 am
Sorry I’m spamming, just stoked about Morrison
April 26th, 2025 at 8:48 am
If you look at it differently, Dean is a good CB who get’s about a $million per start
April 26th, 2025 at 8:53 am
Literally just posted this on another comment section but,
I really need to emphasize that I’m not a Dean fan. He’s a good—maybe okay—player, but he was never great. Let’s be real, he’s never been great. That said, he was a legitimate starting corner in the NFL who won a Super Bowl.
He’s not slow—he ran a 4.3 coming out of college. He has excellent size, knows the system, and oh yeah, Bowles loves him.
Like it or not, he’s currently the favorite to be CB1—and that’s not necessarily a bad thing. Personally, I hope McCollum or Morrison outplays him, but as of now, when healthy, Dean is the Buccaneers’ CB1. Whether that’s right or wrong, it’s the reality.
Statistically, the Bucs were a much better team when he was on the field.
As Joe pointed out with the 1-4 record without him.
April 26th, 2025 at 8:55 am
nfl.com picked five winners of the draft, and jason licht made the list –
3) Licht doesn’t get enough credit for the job he does running this franchise. He’s kept key veterans when free agency has come around the last couple years and he’s been pretty good at finding productive players in the draft (such as running back Bucky Irving in 2024). This year’s draft has provided another example of Licht’s skills. He used the first round to find a wide receiver (Ohio State’s Emeka Egbuka) who should contribute right away before becoming an eventual successor to Evans or Godwin. The second and third rounds delivered much needed help at cornerback in the form of Notre Dame’s Benjamin Morrison and Kansas State’s Jacob Parrish. Morrison has the skill set to thrive in the Bucs’ zone-coverage schemes, while Parrish’s speed (he ran a 4.35-second 40-yard dash at the NFL Scouting Combine) will help this secondary, as well. There’s a reason the Bucs have won the NFC South four straight years. They keep adding good players.
other four winners were dillon gabriel, luther burden, cards coach gannon, and ravens DC orr
April 26th, 2025 at 8:58 am
I feel like CB is a position where injuries seem to happen more. ChatGPT seems to back that up that CBs are the most injury prone position in recent years.
April 26th, 2025 at 9:01 am
Position on defense that is
April 26th, 2025 at 9:01 am
Love that phone call. NO DOUBT he’s going to play hard for us, no questions there. If he stays healthy, we got our #1.
April 26th, 2025 at 9:02 am
Morrison’s reaction when the Bucs called him is one for the ages. Also loved how Simeon Rice called the picks last night. Some people seem to be all up in arms because Morrison has had some injury issues but we all have to remember that the Bucs probably scoured his medicals with a fine tooth comb and to be honest, if the Bucs drafted someone like the Green kid out of Marshall, it is likely that of these same people would be griping about his character issues (though it does seem fitting that the guy went to the Ravens)…..
April 26th, 2025 at 9:04 am
Bowles has it figured out. Dean, Hall, and Morrison will each start about six games. Why have 1 healthy CB when you can have 3 brittle ones?
April 26th, 2025 at 9:07 am
Doesn’t matter to me if Dean is on IR to start the season. As long as he is healthy can actually play in and finish a playoff game.
April 26th, 2025 at 9:10 am
A very cool video.
Benjamin Morrison is a steal. The post makes it seem worse than it is regarding injuries. The only real issue is the hip, and it remained an issue because his body was still growing. Around age 21, the body completes the growth process (outside of diet reasons).
I think we’ll look back at this pick and rejoice.
April 26th, 2025 at 9:12 am
Outside of his injuries, I like Dean. The Bucs need to keep him healthy.
April 26th, 2025 at 9:13 am
Scott Says:
April 26th, 2025 at 8:58 am
“I feel like CB is a position where injuries seem to happen more. ChatGPT seems to back that up that CBs are the most injury prone position in recent years.”
OMG…please don’t use AI to influence your opinion, lol. AI is not a good source, lol.
April 26th, 2025 at 9:15 am
Who has our sixth round pick and who was it traded for?
April 26th, 2025 at 9:17 am
The point I was trying to make was that CBs are injured all the time on many teams. The more we have the better.
April 26th, 2025 at 9:19 am
Love the draft thus far.
Insurance and legit WR to add to the stable.
2 CBs to add amongst our secondary.
Add me the best TE/RB/OL/DTOLB/MLB and I’ll be thrilled. Keep sticking to your board.
Hell, if they like another CB go for it.
April 26th, 2025 at 9:19 am
Licht seems to be a master at finding value wherever he is picking.
April 26th, 2025 at 9:20 am
Benjamin Moore’s video was heart felt and empackful to watch
April 26th, 2025 at 9:23 am
Bucfan593, I think the Lions got the Bucs’ 6th rounder this year to complete the Carlton Davis trade from last year.
April 26th, 2025 at 9:25 am
GREAT reaction! I was brought to tears. Let’s hope he’s healthy.
April 26th, 2025 at 9:34 am
Could watch that video of Benjamin over and over. Made me shed tears too. So happy for him. He said he wasn’t going to let coach down. I believe him.
April 26th, 2025 at 9:39 am
Hmmm, let’s see. Bucs Secondary …
o Jamel Dean … Somewhat Brittle (missed 5 games last year)
o Tykee Smith … Somewhat Brittle (missed 4 games last year)
o Christian Izien … Somewhat Brittle (missed 3 games last yr)
o Antoine Winfield … Brittle (missed 8 games last year)
o Bryce Hall … Brittle (missed 16 games last year)
o Benjamin Morrison … Brittle (missed 10 games last year)
o SirVocea Dennis … Brittle (missed 13 games last year)
And you all are calling Jamel Dean brittle? Our whole Secondary is brittle. Every game it was different DBs back there (heck, we even recalled Ryan Neal to fill in).
April 26th, 2025 at 9:43 am
Those are the tears of a young man whose dream almost died. The Buccaneers tossed him a life preserver, or rather a dream preserver. He will work his ass off to thank them.
April 26th, 2025 at 9:46 am
@ FortMyersDave
I believe you’re correct, then that pick was used to trade up for T-Mac, I believe.
April 26th, 2025 at 9:46 am
Well, if we can spread out the brittleness we’re golden!
April 26th, 2025 at 10:09 am
After watching the way he bounced around after the call, seems like his hips are OK.
April 26th, 2025 at 10:10 am
Corners get injured a lot because they are constantly changing directions and being called upon to tackle people bigger than them. Makes sense if you think about it. If ours stay healthy we have a fantastic, fast, fluid bunch now for sure…
Now let’s get a pass rusher or two. I trust Licht to find some value somewhere.
April 26th, 2025 at 10:14 am
I think k its a big risk. Hope it pays off. Kinda why teams passed on Campbell
April 26th, 2025 at 10:22 am
Seems like Jason has a knack for finding high character guys with injury problems. The guy is going to have continual hip injury problems trying to deal with top flight receivers who have all the moves. This isn’t college anymore. Think it was a bad pick, but time will tell.
April 26th, 2025 at 10:23 am
Wow what’s a video! TAMPAAAAA! Excited to come to Tampa! Look how far we have come. Made me think about when Sapp got drafted. He was piiissed. Complete opposite ends of the spectrum. Go Bowles!!
April 26th, 2025 at 10:24 am
Talented but injury history, a risk.
Great medical but not as talented, a risk.
Just depends on what side of the coin you want.
April 26th, 2025 at 10:25 am
Funny nfl.com combine score has Parrish higher than Morrison. Parrish may be the biggest steal.
April 26th, 2025 at 10:26 am
Can never have too many WRs or too many DBs.
Same goes for offensive band defensive lineman.
April 26th, 2025 at 10:31 am
Defense rules, half the players you list are rookie to second year guys last year which there is no time table to show their brittleness yet quite often rookies get hurt as being younger softer tissue injuries. Oh yeah and this is football where people hit hard and people get hurt some people can beef up and get over the injuries a little bit Jamaal Dean does not just seem to be one although an excellent player at his position. At the current moment if one gets entered we have rotational corners to throw in which is a good plan for the future
April 26th, 2025 at 10:40 am
Hoping the depth at CB will allow Bowles to match Dean up and not have to ply him 100% of the season
April 26th, 2025 at 10:41 am
“I won’t let u down coach” love that emotion and passion, gonna be a steal of a player! Great character guys, with a burning passion to be great, u can’t put a value on that mind set
April 26th, 2025 at 10:47 am
Shedur take note, this is how to be grateful for the opportunity to play in the NFL, unlike when you got punked by the New Orleans phone call
April 26th, 2025 at 10:57 am
After today I hope we can call this draft Beauties and the Beasts.
And a dwarf to hurl at opposing QBs.
April 26th, 2025 at 11:04 am
The hips issues were a defect issue that led to the tearing. He had surgery on one side to fix the cause, but had to wait for the other side, but then had the tear occur. Apparently the surgery he had fixed the structural issue, and he should be fine, and he noted that Ed Reed and Brett Favre both had this same issue. I don’t think this is going to be on-going, and the only other real injury is the type that can sometimes happen to corners trying to stretch for a tackle or shouldering up and hitting someone wrong. The negativity from some on this pick is a little absurd, in my opinion. This guy doesn’t look as brittle as Dean, who gets injured every fricken year.
April 26th, 2025 at 11:17 am
Dean, Morrison, hall all are outside guys.
Izien and smith are nickel/safety guys
Parrish is nickel/outside guy.
All play slightly different roles, it seems like they want to go with a rotation based on catchup and give guys a pitch count to stay healthy.
Same with WR.
April 26th, 2025 at 12:15 pm
Getting rid of Dean this year is stupid. He’s a solid CB he just struggles staying healthy. Get rid of Dean and what’s your depth behind McCollum and Morrison who is coming off hip surgery? I never want to see Hayes or Funderburk take another snap on defense ever again. Keeping Dean is one way of ensuring that. If anything I wouldn’t be against drafting another outside CB today since Parrish is a nickle in the NFL. Our depth at CB last year was that bad
April 26th, 2025 at 12:21 pm
Dean is still the best CB on the roster. But getting injured and leaving in consecutive season losing playoff games to Detroit and Washington cost us. Zyon is a great athlete but still CB2 headed into the draft. Morrison’s a talent, but his injuries aren’t a small thing – both hips and a shoulder. Most were a pass on Campbell with his shoulder surgery. Bryce Hall, no one really remembers when he was good. Parrish looks like he’ll compete at slot with Izien. There’s some speed back there, three guys that ran 4.3’s – Dean, Zyon and now Parrish. There’s potential here, but no slam dunks. Let’s see what they look like coming out of training camp.
April 26th, 2025 at 12:34 pm
We just added a ton of depth to the secondary. If everybody is healthy, our secondary would have been solid, we just took our secondary from ‘”pretty d@mn good” to great. Add that to the fact that Bowles is tweaking the scheme… I think our defense takes a nice jump next year, kind of like our running game last season.
Also using the term brittle for someone who gets hurt isn’t really fair. Some people just get hurt bad because the way players land on them or he type and way a hit is taken. It’s random and kind of a bad luck. Dean is proving a little more brittle than most because it happens every year with him. Guys like Winfield that got hurt for the season, that may never happen again once he’s back up to par. I feel Chris Godwin’s the same way. Really bad luck two times. But he’s been pretty durable for most of his career.
IMO … brittle = gets hurt for multiple games every year.
Brittle it’s not somebody who takes a pretty ugly shot and is out for most of the season if not all of the season. In reality, brittle reminds me of some old lady that has osteoporosis. Injury prone is a better word. I don’t think any player is taking the injuries Winfield and Godwin took and still plays the following week. Usually the super bowl winner is a team where everything comes together offensively & defensively AND they stayed pretty injury free for the most part. Teams don’t win super bowls that have six or seven injured starters.
April 26th, 2025 at 12:57 pm
Morrison will be the steal of the draft. Book it. Made me cry to watch that as well.
April 26th, 2025 at 1:19 pm
New nickname for our secondary… Brittle Mix ….
April 26th, 2025 at 1:44 pm
Benjamin Morrison, the former Notre Dame cornerback drafted by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, missed 10 games during his junior season due to a hip injury. The injury required surgery and kept him out of the field for the remainder of the season. He also missed a game in 2023 with a quadriceps strain. How many games does Dean miss every season?
April 26th, 2025 at 2:19 pm
Joe, “if” and “hope” are virtually synonymous contextually. Yet, “hope” is a dirty word in your vernacular and you liberally gloss over reality by substituting “if” when you are feeling “hopeful.”
April 26th, 2025 at 2:49 pm
BigBucsFan … ‘half the players you list are rookie to second year guys last year which there is no time table to show their brittleness yet quite often rookies get hurt as being younger softer tissue injuries.’
I obviously didn’t make my point very well. Lots of folks are calling Jamel Dean ‘brittle’, yet he missed FEWER GAMES (5) last year than a number of others who play as our ILBs or DBs. And oh ya, prior to last season, Jamel had missed 13 games in those 5 years, and average of 2.5 games missed/season. In his 6 seasons with us, Carlton Davis missed 23 regular season games, an average of 4 missed games/season. Antoine Winfield has missed a total of 16 games in his 5 seasons here, and average of 3 games/season missed.
So why do so many pick on Jamel as being ‘brittle’ when he’s actually missing fewer games than a number of our ILBs & DBs? BTW, I’m convinced that Jamel’s played hurt in quite a number of games. As I watched him, his speed last season didn’t look anywhere close to 4.38 secs in the 40. And he was leaving a lot of cushion that he never left before.
April 26th, 2025 at 3:16 pm
KABucs … ‘Usually the super bowl winner is a team where everything comes together offensively & defensively AND they stayed pretty injury free for the most part. Teams don’t win super bowls that have six or seven injured starters.’
That’s a GRRREAT POINT & one that relatively few seem to pay attention to. In 2020 for instance when we won the Super Bowl, the Bucs had to beat 4 very good playoff teams. We were VERY HEALTHY and Todd Bowles used comparatively few starters on defense as a consequence.
o Washington: we had 11 players on defense who played over 50% def snaps (the average def snaps for those 11 guys was 63.6 snaps which equalled 88.4% availability for those starters).
o New Orleans: we had 12 players on defense who played over 50% def snaps (the average def snaps for those 12 guys was 51.1 snaps which equalled 81.1% availability for those starters).
o Green Bay: we had 10 players on defense who played over 50% def snaps (the average def snaps for those 10 guys was 62.2 snaps which equalled 87.6% availability for those starters).
o Kansas City: we had 10 players on defense who played over 50% def snaps (the average def snaps for those 11 guys was 66.5 snaps which equalled 88.7% availability for those starters).
In other words, we were extremely healthy that year, and our big guns (focusing on defense) were on the field for probably an average of 85% of the def snaps. Relatively little rotation; we were healthy. And I’d contend that our starters weren’t the problem last year; it was our lack of suitable depth. Bucs showed in the first 4 games last season (when we were healthy) that our starters can hang with anybody.